London, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Livingston, MT. They all have something in common; celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain has come out with his top ten list of hotels in the world, and the Murray Hotel in Livingston, MT is on it.
Bourdain is a chef, best-selling author and former host on the Travel Channel’s No Reservation, and the current Parts Unknown on CNN. About a month ago he listed his top ten hotels in the world on his Facebook page, and the Murray Hotel was on it.
Owner Kathleen Kaul says she and her husband Dan found out about the designation thanks to the internet. She says they are honored to be placed in the top ten of any list but it is fantastic to be on Bourdain’s list.
“We have railroad men who sit next to the cowboys who sit next to the authors or artists or celebrities, or a governor or two,” says Kaul.
Kathleen and Dan bought the century’s old hotel back in 1991. They have worked to restore, refurbish and repair, not to destroy the Murray. Over the years they have improved it, upgrading the plumbing, electrical and phones while maintaining the hardwood floors, the claw foot tubs and the Old West charm.
“When a traveler checks into a hotel or motel, they think ‘I hope the TV works,’” says Kaul. “When you come to the Murray Hotel you really don’t care if the TV works. You have an experience. The Murray is the real deal.”
She adds that at the Murray you get a taste of the West and how it was 100 years ago. “There is not another Murray Hotel anywhere; we are the only one.”
The Murray Hotel is on the historic register as are a majority of the buildings in downtown Livingston.
